Support



Dec. 3, 1940. DOYLE 2,223,557

SUPPORT Filed Aug. 5, 1939 M 9' ZQWMM MW ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 3, 1940 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to supports, and has for an object the provision of a new and improved support more particularly adapted to be applied to the window sill of a building to safely and comfortably support a person in convenient position for washing the exterior surfaces of window panes and the like.

In the drawing accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for purposes of illustration, embodiments which my invention may assume, and in the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention as applied to a window sill, a fragment of which is shown in section,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the construction as shown in Figure 1, taken on a line corresponding substantially to the line 22 of Figure 1, I

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional detailed view, corresponding substantially to the line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is an enlarged, broken, vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the combined cleat and cleat clamping means employed in connection with the invention,

Figure 5 is an enlarged, broken fragmentary vertical sectional view taken centrally through the cleat means, as shown in Figure 4, while Figure 6 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View of a different embodiment of the invention.

In Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, a window sill I0 is shown, which may, and in ordinary dwellings usually does, comprise a sill proper set in an inclined position, presenting an inclined upperface H, and inner and outer vertical faces l2 and I3, while fixedly set in a rabbet in the upper inner portion of the sill proper, in a level position and projecting inwardly, is a usual finishing board or strip I4.

The support forming the subject matter of the present invention, shown in Figures 1 through 5, and more particularly adapted for use with a sill construction as described, comprises a body portion l5, preferably in the form of a flat board of suitable width to accommodate a person in a sitting position, to the inner top surface of which is fixedly attached hooked means It, generally in the form of a channel section, having a flange I'l connected to the body portion l5 by suitable rivets, a web I8 which projects laterally therefrom a distance corresponding approximately to the combined thicknesses of the body portion !5 and of the strip l4, and an inwardly turned hook-like flange IS, the construction providing a space for the snug reception of the inner edge of the strip I4.

At the opposite end of the body portion 35, a foldable back 20 is provided, which comprises spaced, similar, oppositely disposed swingable 5 members 2!, located adjacent the opposite outer corners of the body portion l5, each having a side wall 22 and an inwardly turned flange 23, the flanges 23, adjacent the outer ends of the members 2|, having connected thereto, as by l0 screws or rivets 24, a back board 25. The side wall 22 of one swingable member 2! is pivotally connected, as by a rivet 26', with an upstanding flange 21 of a bracket 28, which has a flange 29 secured by rivets 30 to the body portion l5, while T5 the other swingable member 2|, at the opposite side of the body portion I5,,is similarly-connected to a like bracket.

Intermediate the ends of the body portion Hi, there is provided an adjustable cross-cleat means it) 3!, the ends of which are inclined so as to converge toward the body portion I5, and these ends have clamping means '32 and 33 attached there to. The clamping means 32 preferably comprise a channel section having a web 34 provided with 25 a hooked extension 35 adapted to fit over the side edge of the body portion l5, and flanges 35 disposed at opposite sides of the cleat means, the flanges 36 having inclined registering slots 31 therein through which extends an anchoring pin '30 38 fixed in the cleat means, the clamping means 32 thus being shiftably mounted to facilitate application to the desired position. The clamping means 33 are similar to the clamping means 32 except for their opposite disposition, and similar reference characters will be used to designate similar parts. The clamping means 33, however, are adjustably mounted upon a threaded stud 39 fixed in the end of the cleat means and extending through an opening 40 in the Web 3t, and outwardly of the clamping means 33, and threaded on the stud 39, is a wing nut M. The length of the cross-cleat means. and the distance between the clamping means 32 and 3 3, are such that when the clamping means are in engagement with the side edges of the body portion I5, and the wing-nut 4i tightened on the stud 39, the cross-cleat means are rigidly aflixed tothe body portion l5; when the wing nut 4| is loosened the cross-cleat means may be shifted along the body portion 15 to any position desired, and when the nut 4| is again tightened the cross-cleat means are held in adjusted position, the inclined surfaces of the ends of the cleat means and the manner of attachment of the clamping means enabling adjustment to be quickly made, and facilitating secure attachment of the clamping means when in clamping position.

The under surface of the cross-cleat is preferably rabbeted, as at 42, to present a surface 43 inclined to correspond substantially with the incline of the sill proper and to rest thereupon, and to present also a clamping portion 44 adapted to rest against the outer face it of the sill proper, the clamping portion 44, operating when the crosscleat is clamped in position, to make it substantially impossible for the body portion 15 to be displaced with reference to the sill structure.

In some cases I may omit the clamping portion 44, and continue the inclined surface 43 for'the full width of the cross-cleat, so that the crosscleat may rest upon the inclined face ll of the sill proper at any position thereon inwardly of the face I3, the inclined surface 43 in addition to providing a firm support for the body portion, also preventing forward movement of the body portion l which might result in disconnection of the hook means l6.

In use the hook means 16 are hooked over the inner edge of the strip Hi, the cross-cleat means 3| adjusted to rest upon the top surface I I of the sill proper, with the clamping portion 44, when present, in position against the sill surface I3,

. the wing nut 4| tightened, and the foldable back 20 extended. In this position the device provides a safe and comfortable seat, or platform upon which to stand,if desired, from which the exterior surfaces of the window panes are readily accessible for cleaning or other purposes.

In some cases it may be desired to employ the device in connection with other types of sills, such as shown at 440 in Figure 6 of the drawings. In this sill construction the top surface 45 of the sill proper lies substantially in a horizontal plane. To

adapt the device to: this type of sill structure it is only necessary to change the type of cross-cleat means employed, using one slightly thicker than before described, and with a straight bottom surface 46 to correspond to the top surface 45 of the sill 440, the construction of the device otherwise being the same as already described. Because of the manner in which the cross-cleats are applied to the body portion l 5, a cleat with any conformation to correspond to the sill structure may be employed, an appropriate one being readily substitutable for another as conditions may require.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal obj'ectof my invention, and it also; will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

Iclaim:

1. Means for giving access to the exterior of windows, and the like, comprising: supporting tioned between the ends of said supporting means and clamping means for clamping said holding means and said supporting means together, said clamping means including clamps carried by said holding means and. engageable with said supporting means, said clamps each having a pin and an inclined slot connection with said holding means to facilitate engagement and disengagement of said clamps.

2. Means for giving access to the exterior of windows, and the like, comprising: supporting means adapted to project outwardly from the window defining means; means at the inner end portion of said supporting means for detachably 7 connecting the said supporting means to said window defining means; holding means interposed between said supporting means and said window defining means, and adapted to be positioned between the ends of said supporting means; and, clamping means for clamp-ing said holding means-and said supporting means together, said clamping means including clamps carried by said holding means and engageable with said supporting means, said clamps each having a pin and slot connection with said holding means to facilitate engagement and disengagement of said clamps, the end portions of said holding means being inclined to aid manipulation of said clamps.

3. Means for giving access to the exterior of windows, and the like, comp-rising: supporting means adapted to project outwardly from the window defining means and providing a seat portion for a Workman; means for detachablysecuring the inner end of said seat portion to the window defining means; cleat means underlying said seat portion between the point of attachment and the outer extremity thereof; and clamping means for adjustably clamping said cleat means to said seat portion, including hook means fixed to one end portion of said cleat means and adapted to receive the adjacent edge of said seat portion therewithin, and second hook means adapted to receive the opposite edge of said body portion therewithin, said second hook means be ing movably attached to said cleat means and operable to clamp said seat portion between said first and second hook means;

4. Means for giving access to the exterior of windows, and the like, comprising: supporting means adapted to project outwardly from the window defining means-and providing a seat portion for a workman; means for detachably securing the inner end of said seat portion to the window defining means; cleat means underlying said seat portion between the point of attachment and the outer extremity thereof; and clamping means for adjustably clamping said cleat means to said seat portion, including hook means'fixed to one end portion ofsaid cleat means and adapted to receive the adjacent edge of said seat portion therewithin, and second hook means adapted to receive the opposite edge of said body portion therewithin, said second hook means being-movably attached to said cleat means and operable to clamp said seat portion between said first and second hook means, each of said hook means being constructed and arranged to be adjustably shiftable laterally with respect to said seat portion and longitudinally with respect to said cleat means and fixable in clamping position.

' LEO V. DOYLE. 

